Referring to his humble origins, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said it is the power of the Constitution and democracy that a boy from a “poor family” has got the opportunity to hoist the national flag at Red Fort.

“This is the power of the Constitution that a boy from a small town, from a poor family is at the Red Fort and is fortunate to bow before the tricolour. This is the power of Indian democracy. This the best gift our Constitution makers have given us,” Modi said in his maiden speech on 68th Independence Day.

In a bid to promote the country’s tourism industry, Modi said it helps everyone including auto drivers and tea-sellers, an apparent reference of himself.